Johnson County Sheriff: Solon Man Torments Teens with Saw Blade

A Solon man is in the Johnson County Jail in Iowa City after he allegedly used a saw blade to strike one teen and threaten another in downtown Solon.

According to a criminal complaint from the Johnson County Sheriff Office, Courtney Joseph Michel, 23, approached two teens, aged 13 and 15, at 310 S. Dubuque St. in downtown Solon.

Michel was allegedly armed with a saw blade at the time and struck the 13-year-old in the upper arm, causing a laceration and bleeding. Michel then struck the 15-year-old on the forearm, and "continued to torment" him by placing the saw blade up to his neck, according to the criminal complaint.

The complaint also noted that there was "no justification" found for Michel's actions by the officers investigating the incident.

The teens told officers that they feared retaliation from Michel once he gets out of jail, and Michel was ordered to have no contact with the two teens. 

Michel was charged with two counts of assault while armed with a deadly weapon. According to online jail records he was booked into the Johnson County Jail last night and is still being held there on $15,000 bail.